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  3. Military Naturalization Statistics

Military Naturalization Statistics

U.S. service members, veterans, and their families may be eligible for certain immigration benefits in recognition of their important sacrifices. Specifically, veterans and current service members may be eligible to become U.S. citizens through naturalization under special provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). These provisions reduce or eliminate certain general requirements for naturalization, including the requirements for the applicant to have resided in and been physically present in the United States for a specific period of time before naturalizing.1

Since 2002, we have naturalized more than 148,000 members of the U.S. military, both at home and abroad. Naturalization ceremonies have taken place in more than 30 countries from Albania to the United Arab Emirates.2 In the last five years (fiscal years 2017 – 2021), we have naturalized almost 30,000 service members. In FY 2021, we naturalized 8,800 service members, a 90% increase than the previous year. Authorization for the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) program (PDF) expired on Sept. 30, 2017, contributing to a decrease in military naturalizations. The MAVNI program, authorized by the Department of Defense in 2008, allowed certain individuals who were not U.S. citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents to enlist if they had skills considered vital to the national interest.

Approvals by Fiscal Year (2017 – 2021)

Bar graph 2017 - 7110, 2018 - 4680, 2019 - 4360, 2020 - 4570, 2021 - 8,880

Countries of Birth

Service members born in the Philippines, Mexico, Jamaica, China, and South Korea —the top five countries of birth among those naturalized—comprised 39% of the naturalizations since FY 2017. The next five countries of birth— Nigeria, Ghana, India, Haiti, and Nepal—comprised an additional 17% of military naturalizations from FY 2017 to FY 2021.

Top Five Countries of Birth (FY 2017 – FY 2021)

Graphic showing percentages , Mexico -8.5, Jamaica - 8.0, China- 6.1, Philippines - 10.7, South Korea - 5.7.

Age

Half of all service members were between 22 and 30 years old when they naturalized. The median age of all service members who naturalized between FY 2017 to FY 2021 was 27 years old. About 20% were 21 and under when they naturalized. About 6% were older than 41 when they naturalized.

Age at Naturalization (FY 2017 – FY 2021)

Graphic showing ages and percentages. 17and 18 - 2.1, 19 to 21 - 17.4, 22 to 25 - 24.0, 26 to 30 - 25.5, 31 to 35 - 18.6, 36 to 40 - 6.0, 41and above - 6.4

Gender

Men comprised 76% of all service members naturalized between FY 2017 and FY 2021. The proportion of male and female service members naturalized remained consistent across years.

Gender at Naturalization (FY 2017 – FY 2021)

Graphic showing gender by percentage, 24 for women and 76 for men

Branch of Service

Service members from the Army (including National Guard and Reserves) comprised about two-thirds (62%) of all military naturalizations from FY 2017 to FY 2021. Service members from the Coast Guard comprised less than 1% of military naturalizations from FY 2017 to FY 2021.3

Branch of Military at Naturalization (FY 2017 – FY 2021)

Graphic showing percentages by service branch, Army - 62.2, Navy - 15.2, Marines - 6.7, Air Force - 8.3, Coast Guard - 0.4

Tables

Data Table 1: Approved Military Naturalizations by Fiscal Year (2017-2021) and Top 10 Countries
Country of Birth FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 Total
Philippines 880 470 410 460 940 3,150
Mexico 790 440 340 310 630 2,510
Jamaica 570 320 210 380 880 2,360
China 410 290 380 370 370 1,810
South Korea 390 250 510 280 260 1,680
Nigeria 240 220 180 340 630 1,140
Ghana 260 150 80 230 420 1,140
India 120 260 230 110 120 840
Haiti 170 100 100 110 260 730
Nepal 140 140 160 100 160 690
Others 3,160 2,070 1,780 1,870 4,130 13,010
Total 7,110 4,680 4,360 4,570 8,800 29,520

Source: USCIS, CLAIMS 4 and ELIS. Data as of October 2021.

Notes: Due to rounding, the totals may not sum.

Data Table 2: Approved Military Naturalizations by Fiscal Year (2017-2021) and Age at Naturalization
Age at Naturalization FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 Total
17 and 18 years old 490 110 10 0 20 630
19-21 years old 1,870 750 620 520 1,390 5,150
22-25 years old 1,710 1,030 1,070 1,050 2,210 7,070
26-30 years old 1,550 1,210 1,220 1,270 2,280 7,530
31-35 years old 930 860 730 1,110 1,860 5,490
36-40 years old 220 280 260 360 650 1,760
41+ years old 360 430 440 260 400 1,880
Total 7,110 4,680 4,360 4,570 8,800 29,520

Source: USCIS, CLAIMS 4 and ELIS. Data as of October 2021.

Notes: Due to rounding, the totals may not sum.

Data Table 3: Approved Military Naturalizations by Fiscal Year and Gender (2017-2021)
Gender FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 Total
Women 1,490 1,120 970 1,120 2,370 7,070
Men 5,620 3,570 3,380 3,450 6,430 22,450
Total 7,110 4,680 4,360 4,570 8,800 29,520

Source: USCIS, CLAIMS 4 and ELIS. Data as of October 2021.

Notes: Due to rounding, the totals may not sum.

Data Table 4: Approved Military Naturalizations by Fiscal Year (2017-2021) and Service Branch
Service Branch FY17 FY18 FY19 FY20 FY21 Total
Air Force 690 280 180 430 860 2,440
Army 4,150 2,720 3,030 2,980 5,480 18,360
Coast Guard 30 20 20 20 20 110
Marines 770 220 240 220 520 1,970
Navy 990 420 450 830 1,810 4,500
Unknown 480 1,030 440 90 100 2,130
Total 7,110 4,680 4,360 4,570 8,800 29,520

Source: USCIS, CLAIMS 4 and ELIS. Data as of October 2021.

Notes: Military branches include the Reserves and National Guard; for example, the Army includes both the Army Reserves and the Army National Guard. Due to rounding, the totals may not sum.


1 Read more information on the naturalization process and eligibility for service members, veterans, and their families on our website.

2Executive Order 13269 (PDF), signed on July 3, 2002, designated the War on Terrorism (beginning on Sept. 11, 2001) as a period in which the armed forces of the United States were engaged in armed conflict with a hostile foreign force for the purposes of section 329 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). As a result, those who served honorably in the armed forces on or after Sept. 11, 2001, may be eligible for naturalization in accordance with the statutory exceptions to the naturalization requirements provided in INA 329.

3 About 7% of naturalizations did not list a service branch in our system.

Last Reviewed/Updated:
11/09/2021
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